Rose plant Korbirac

ABSTRACT

Grandiflora rose plant having distinctive vigorous upright growth habit, flower clusters with stems long enough to cut, thick leathery petals, a unique light orange with light yellow reverse flower color and a long flower life both on the plant and in the vase.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the grandiflora class which was originated by me by crossingthe variety MerKor, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,724, with an unnamed seedling.

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose varietywhich is vigorous and healthy with many blooms in an appealing color.The objective was substantially achieved along with other desirableimprovements as evidenced by the following unique combination ofcharacteristics which are outstanding in the new variety and whichdistinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties ofwhich I am aware:

1. Thick, leathery petals;

2. Long flower life both on the plant and in the vase;

3. Unique flower color;

4. Vigorous, very upright growth habit;

5. Flower presentation often in clusters that have long individualstems.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding, as performed atWasco, Calif., shows that the foregoing characteristics and distinctionscome true to form and are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with the RoyalHorticultural Society (London) Colour Chart, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--MerKor, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,724.

Pollen parent.--Unnamed seedling.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida.

Commercial.--Grandiflora.

FLOWER

Observations made from specimens grown in a garden in Somis, Calif. fromMarch to August, 1992.

Blooming habit: Recurrent.

Bud:

Size.--11/4 inches long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form.--Long, pointed ovoid.

Color.--When sepals first divide, bud color is Orange Red Group 32C onareas of the bud mixed with Yellow Orange Group 21D on other areas ofthe bud. When half blown, the upper sides of the petals are Orange RedGroup 32B on the petal edges changing to Orange Group 24C over most ofthe petal surface; and the lower sides of the petals are Yellow OrangeGroup 22D with some Orange Group 29B near the top edge of the petal.

Sepals.--Color: Green Group 138B. Surface Texture: Covered in finehairs. There are three normally appendaged sepals. There are twounappendaged sepals with hairy edges.

Receptacle.--Color: Green Group 138C. Shape: Funnel. Size: Large(3/8×3/8 inches). Surface: Hairy.

Peduncle.--Length: Short (11/2 inch). Surface: Glandular. Color: Mediumgreen and bronzy. Strength: Stiff, erect.

Bloom:

Size.--Medium. Average open size is 4 inches in diameter and 11/4 inchesin depth.

Borne.--Singly, several together, in clusters from 3 to 7 blooms. If inclusters: Rounded.

Stems of flowers in cluster.--Medium, strong (12 to 14 inches).

Form.--When first open: High centered. Permanence: Retains its form tothe end; outer petals curl back.

Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions: 30.

Color.--The upper side of the petals is Mainly Orange Group 24C changingto Orange Red Group 32B on the petal edges. The reverse side of thepetals is Yellow Orange Group 22B with some Orange Group 29B near thetop edge of the petal. The color of the base of petals intensifies toBright yellow half moon at the point of attachment (1/4×1/4 inches)Yellow Orange Group 15B at the petal base. The major color on the upperside is Orange Group 24C.

Variegations.--Occasional green streak on the guard petals.

Discoloration.--The general tonality at the end of the first day: Nochange. At the end of the third day: Some color change on the petaledges. Gradual increase in Orange-Red Group 32B on the petal margins.

Fragrance.--Slight.

Petals:

Texture.--Thick, leathery.

Shape.--Round.

Form.--Tips slightly recurved, edges slightly quilled.

Arrangement.--Imbricated, with few petaloids in the center.

Persistence.--Hang on and dry.

Lastingness.--On the plant: Long (7 days). As a cut flower: Long (8 to 9days).

Reproductive parts:

Anthers.--Size: Medium. Quantity: Many. Color: Yellow. Arrangement:Regular around styles.

Filaments.--Color: Yellow.

Pollen.--Color: Gold yellow.

Styles.--Color: Reddish near the stigma -- otherwise white.

Stigmas.--Color: Greenish white.

Form: Bush.

Growth: Very vigorous. A mature plant in Somis, Calif., is about 6 feetin height and 4 feet in width.

Foliage:

Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves.--5 or 7.

Size.--Medium (41/2 to 5×3 to 31/2 inches).

Quantity.--Abundant.

Color.--New foliage: Gray-Purple Group 183A. Old foliage: Green Group139A.

Leaflets:

Shape.--Pointed oval.

Texture.--Upper side: Leathery.

Edge.--Serrated.

Serration.--Single, small.

Petiole rachis.--Color: Green.

Petiole underside.--Rough with prickles.

Stipules.--Medium, bearded.

Disease resistance.--Susceptible to mildew, but resistant to rust undernormal growing conditions at Somis, Calif.

Wood:

New wood.--Color: Light green. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.--Color: Green. Bark: Smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.--On main canes from base: Ordinary. On laterals from maincanes: Ordinary.

Form.--Medium.

Color when young.--Red.

Small prickles:

Quantity.--On main stalks: Few. On laterals: Few.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the grandifloraclass, substantially as herein shown and described, characterizedparticularly as to novelty by the unique combination of its vigorousupright growth habit, flower clusters with stems long enough to cut,thick leathery petals, a unique light orange with light yellow reverseflower color and a long flower life both on the plant and in the vase.